Boston Marathon

The 16 must-see moments from the 120th Boston Marathon

By Boston.com Staff

3 minutes to read

Roughly 30,000 runners took on the 26.2 mile course from Hopkinton to Boston on Marathon Monday. Here’s a look at some of the most memorable moments from the 120th Boston Marathon.

1. Here’s what it was like at the starting line

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2. Tom Brady thanked Adrianne Haslet for being an inspiration

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3. One runner seized his moment early in the race

He ran the first two miles of the race in 9 minutes, 53 seconds.

4. Mark Wahlberg was at the finish line early filming scenes for his upcoming movie

Mark Wahlberg was at the finish line early Monday morning filming a scene for Patriots’ Day. 

5. Defending women’s champion Caroline Rotich dropped out of the race

Caroline Rotich of Kenya reacts after winning the women’s division.

Rotich, who won the 2015 marathon, dropped out at the 5-mile mark on Monday.

6. A tiny fan made this adorable sign that made no sense

There were many unique signs along the course on Monday. This dad took to Twitter to share his daughter’s message to runners… We still haven’t figured it out.

7. There was a dramatic finish in the men’s wheelchair race

epa05265682 Marcel Hug of Switzerland (L) crosses the finish line to win the Men's Wheelchair division of the 120th Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 18 April 2016. EPA/CJ GUNTHER

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Marcel Hug of Switzerland—who won the 2015 men’s wheelchair event—defended his title by edging out 10-time champion Ernst Van Dyk and Kurt Fearnley. Watch the finish here.

8. A guy wearing nothing but tiny American Flag underwear and a bowtie ran the Marathon

The runner was spotted on the course wearing an American flag Speedo (and a bowtie) by MetroWest Daily News reporter Danielle Ameden.

9. Bombing survivor Marc Fucarile finished the marathon in the handcycle race

Fucarile finished with a time of 2 hours, 21 minutes, and 37 seconds, good for a pace of 6:22 per mile.

10. Jake Gyllenhaal joined bombing survivor Jeff Bauman to throw out the first pitch at Fenway

Bauman will be portrayed by Gyllenhaal in the upcoming movie Stronger.

11. A giddy Lemi Berhanu Hayle celebrated his win with a victory leap

Lemi Berhanu Hayle, of Ethiopia, celebrates after winning the 120th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 18, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

The 21-year-old men’s division winner leapt with joy after crossing the finish line.

12. Meb Keflezighi captured the spirit of the Boston Marathon in one photo

Meb Keflezighi, the 2014 Boston Marathon champion, shared the photo of two runners helping to carry a third to the finish line.

13. This runner fought through pain to finish

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Michel Rojkind pushed through the pain after collapsing against the barricades just feet from the finish line.

14. Bombing survivor Patrick Downes said he ran with Boston in his heart

Boston Marathon bombing survivor Patrick Downes, right, gets a hug from his wife Jessica after finishing the the 120th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 18, 2016, in Boston. Both lost a leg in the 2013 bombings. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Boston Marathon bombing survivor Patrick Downes was met at the finish line by his wife, Jessica Kensky, who also is a survivor of the 2013 attack.

“I think our city is a really, really beautiful city,” Downes said at the finish line. “I’m so proud to be from here. I’m so proud to have taken part in this.”

15. This photo of Jeff Bauman and Erin Hurley at the Marathon finish line is beautiful

Erin Bauman, the wife of Boston Marathon bombing survivor, Jeffrey Bauman crossed the finish line around 5:20 p.m. It was her first marathon since 2013 when she ran, and her husband came to see her finish. She never finished in 2013 and the first bomb near the finish line blew off Bauman's legs.

Marathon bombing survivor Bauman was at the finish line when his wife completed the race and their embrace is pure inspiration and love.

16. Marathon bombing survivor Adrianne Haslet crossed the finish line

Haslet paused before she stepped across the finish line on her prosthetic just before 7:30 p.m., three years after the bombing.

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